Critical Second-Half Goal Helps Bulldogs Earn Double-Overtime Tie Against 22nd-Ranked SVSU

*Photos coming soon!

Big Rapids, Mich. - A critical goal with slightly more than two minutes remaining in regulation enabled the Ferris State University women's soccer team to pull out a 1-1 double-overtime tie with nationally 22nd-ranked Saginaw Valley State in FSU's home opener on Sunday (Sept. 14) at the FSU Soccer Field.

Senior midfielder Riley Wood tallied FSU's first goal of the season at 87:49 of the second half to notch the contest up at a goal apiece. Junior forward Nichole Boehnke put the ball near the net following a cross pass from junior Abby Meirndorf as the pair earned assists on Wood's goal.

From there, the Bulldogs had opportunities to win the game both in the final two minutes of regulation and at various points of two 10-minute overtime periods, but could not get the game-winner despite owning a 27-16 edge in total shots for the day.

The Cardinals opened the scoring in the first half of the non-conference outing played between the two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rivals when Olivia Perrin recorded her first goal of the year on a shot inside the box to the corner of the net following a feed from Presley Tibbetts in the 30th minute.

The lead stood up until the final minutes of regulation despite the fact the Bulldogs carried play much of the way. FSU produced 13 total shots on goal to only seven for the Cardinals and had opportunities to score the equalizer several times preceding Wood's game-tying goal.

While the Bulldogs owned the advantage in shots, the Cardinals did have a key opportunity to win the contest with a breakaway shot from Ashley Henderson late in the first overtime session, but FSU goaltender Maddie Haustein was up to the challenge and made a crucial diving save. She finished with six saves in 110 minutes of action in net.

SVSU's Claire Spleth was also tough to beat in goal for Saginaw Valley State as she finished with 12 saves in going the distance. The Bulldogs had 15 shots alone in the second period and held a 6-2 edge in total opportunities for the two overtime periods. The total tries did not include a potential breakway opportunity for FSU just prior to Wood's goal in which FSU junior forward Stephanie Garland was knocked to the turf by two SVSU players.

The Bulldogs owned a 10-3 edge in total corner kick tries and posted 12 fouls to eight for the Cardinals while improving to 0-2-1 on the year. All three of FSU's contests to date this season have come against returning NCAA playoff or current nationally-ranked squads.

Garland led Ferris State with a game-high nine total shots, including four on goal. Boehnke added five tries and posted three on net for the Bulldogs. Meanwhile, freshman Audrey Romine recorded three shots off the bench.

Saginaw Valley State, which is now 2-0-1 on the year, was paced by Henderson's five shots with four saved by Haustein.

The Bulldogs and Cardinals will meet again later this season in GLIAC action on Oct. 10 in University Center on the SVSU campus.

Ferris State next plays a non-league contest on the road at Indiana Wesleyan on Tuesday (Sept. 16) beginning at 4 p.m. (ET) in Marion, Ind.

FSU then returns home to open GLIAC play as the Bulldogs host archrival and defending national champion Grand Valley State on Saturday (Sept. 20) starting at 5 p.m. (ET) prior to the Anchor-Bone Classic football game between the two schools on the FSU campus. A special tailgate event is planned in conjunction with the women's soccer showdown, including a BBQ, music, games and giveaways. For more information, please visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com.